Milling News
Climate change will have far reaching effects on UK agriculture, say Hutton scientists
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ith 2014 reported as the warmest year since records began, continuing a strong trend in recent years, we ignore the implications for agriculture in the UK in the medium to long term at our peril say four scientists at the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie, Dundee in Scotland. The issue is not just the rising average temperatures, but the type of weather, which trends suggest are becoming more prone to extremes. In particular, rainfall patterns are predicted to change with drier conditions in the southern UK causing issues with water supply for crop growth whilst in Scotland rainfall is expected to become concentrated into short bursts of heavy rainfall. “UK agriculture is currently some of the most productive in the world for key crops such as cereals and potatoes – traditionally, our warm, mild, wet climate has been well suited to world-beating yields per hectare and our lead in agricultural research has cemented these advantages,” says Tim Daniell, Theme Leader for Sustainable Production Systems at the James Hutton Institute. “As the climate changes, the sector - and the research and development capability that supports it - can use its strong position to anticipate new circumstances and adapt resources and practices accordingly.” Ken Loades, a soil physicist at the Hutton Institute, points out that this increased rainfall intensity will lead to greater levels of soil erosion especially on sloping ground. “These effects may be minimised by altering land
Alan Bent
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t is with sadness that we record the death of Alan Bent. Alan was well known and respected in the Baking Industry, having served Alan Bent in a number of roles including research, plant management and teaching as well as professional consultancy Alan’s career began as a cereal technologist for the Tropical Products Institute. This was followed by several years of teaching in Liverpool, Birmingham and Salisbury. In 18 | Milling and Grain
management to increase infiltration and reduce run off. This would have the additional advantages of maintaining groundwater levels, providing irrigation water during dry periods, and reducing flood risk,” he adds. Adrian Newton, a senior cereal pathologist also at the James Hutton Institute, says changing climate will inevitably lead to alteration in the key pathogens that farmers have to manage. “New threats previously associated with southern climates may become more prevalent however threat from other diseases may reduce. “This will be driven by both temperature and rainfall changes. Changes in the mosaic of crops across the landscape may also present additional threats from pests and diseases that can be hosted on more than one plant species. Also synergistic effects of climate change, such as combinations of temperature carbon dioxide and water availability, need to be explored as each has typically been studied in isolation.” Tim Daniell agrees that these are challenging times but studies suggest that there may be an opportunity to increase
“Making transitions sustainably is the only way to ensure continuing food security in a changing climatic world” cropped land area, especially in Scotland, and increase the diversity of crops that can be grown. “Clearly the alteration in our climate will have a profound effect on our agricultural landscape and the Institute - along with others - is directly involved in increasing both our understanding of the effects of climate change and how agronomy can adapt to the challenges that lie ahead. “Whatever the future climate picture, the key is for society to be ready to adapt to new circumstances by planning crop breeding, agronomy and agricultural practices around a range of potential scenarios.” Whichever way the situation evolves, making these transitions sustainably is the only way to ensure continuing food security and ongoing viability in farming, the Institute adds.
1948 to 2014
1987 Alan moved to the Bread Bakery department at FMBRA, Chorleywood until 1991. He then went on to an industrial post as technical manager at Golden West Foods. In 1994 he returned to academic life as Senior Lecturer at South Bank University, later becoming Head of the London Food Centre. Here he supported both graduate and undergraduate students with care and enthusiasm. The external consultancy that Alan performed on behalf of the university was continued in a private capacity after he retired in 2008. In addition Alan offered his voluntary services to the British Standards
Institute, where he became an active member.
Shortly after retirement and moving to Devon, Alan was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and although recognising the severity of his illness and undergoing many rounds of harsh treatment he remained stoical and upbeat throughout. Indeed many of his friends and colleagues were unaware of his condition. Alan leaves two children, a granddaughter and wife Sally who shared his enthusiasm for baking and created a biscuit making enterprise of which he was immensely proud. Through his work and membership of professional organisations including the London Southeast Milling Society Alan gained the affection and respect of many.